As far as getting to the seaside goes, there’s no quicker option for me than Folkestone. A direct train from London Stratford International station takes me there in about 45 minutes.

 

I had previously done a hike from Folkestone to Dover, and had a chance to catch a glimpse of Folkestone back then – but didn’t have time to explore the town itself. This time, I dedicated the whole (short – it was January!) day to walking around Folkestone.

I got off at Folkestone Central train station and walked towards the Leas. When you reach the seafront, you’re quite high above the sea level, on top of a cliff. You can follow the Zig Zag Path to get to the beach level. The Zig Zag path, well… you guessed it! It goes down in a Zig Zag pattern. Surrounded with exotic trees, it gives off a Mediterranean vibe in my eyes – similar to what I’ve seen in Croatia. The plants stay green in winter and – although it was January and I was wearing a chunky hat and a massive scarf – it felt like summer holiday. At the bottom of the path you’ll reach a lovely park that stretches alongside the beach.

 

From that point, I went in the west direction, walking down the promenade. There’s a lot of charming beach huts, painted in vibrant colours and geometric patterns – part of a recent redesign of Folkestone beachfront. Stunning!

After about 20 minutes of walking and enjoying lovely views, I turned back and went back east, towards the Folkestone Harbour.

 

The Folkestone Harbour is a perfect place to slow down and enjoy life by the sea. At the end of the harbour arm, there’s a former lighthouse, converted into a charismatic pub. A former Folkestone Harbour train station has been converted into a marketplace. You’ll still see the old train station signs, but there aren’t any trains left. Instead, the platforms are home to independent market stalls filled with handmade goods, and the old signal box has been converted into a small cafe. Behind the platforms, there’s even more independent shops as well as food trucks with a variety of cuisines available.

Not far from the Harbour, you’ll find the Creative Corner – a steep road filled with quirky shops and cafes. I wished I could have tried all of the cafes, it was tough to pick just one! I decided on the Steep Street cafe this time. I loved the decor, full of books. I enjoyed a coffee and a goat’s cheese tart – yum!

 

From there, I went to the Folkestone Museum. It’s a tiny place, but it’s filled with interesting artifacts covering a long timeline – from dinosaur footprints and fossils, to pieces of Roman pottery and weapons from the second World War. The admission is free, and I always recommend visiting local museums when exploring a new town.

From the museum, I went back towards the beach and Folkestone Harbour, and went further east, through Folkestone Mermaid beach (what a lovely name!) towards the Warren. There’s a lovely view of the town and the sea from the top of the cliff. If you fancy a hike to Dover, that’s where the trail begins. I wasn’t doing the hike that day and went back to the Harbour and looked for a place to eat. I fancied some fish and chips (after all, what else would eat at the seaside!). I chose a tiny restaurant on the beach near the Harbour, called Little Rock. I went for cod bites with chips and a side of roasted veggies. Everything was delicious, and the service was excellent as well, with friendly staff. Definitely a place to bookmark for the future.

 

After the meal, it was starting to get dark and I realised I would get to see the sunset at the Folkestone beach. The upside of short winter days, I guess! No need to stay out until late hours to enjoy a sunset.

 

It was a lovely view, and the Folkestone Harbour itself looks pretty after dusk.

My only complaint about my time in Folkestone comes after the sunset. It seems like Folkestone doesn’t like investing in lampposts in public spaces! Good for the planet, I suppose. Not so great for a woman on a solo trip though! I walked back the same way I followed in the morning: along the beach (in pitch black – not a single source of light on the promenade), to the Zig Zag Path. The walk up the Zig Zag Path got my heart racing, and it wasn’t just the incline. There were a few lamps on the way, but the dim lights weren’t anywhere near enough to give you a feeling of safety. I contemplated running until I reach civilisation again, but part of me thought I needed to save all of my energy supply in case I HAD to run away from something. I made it out alive, but it was one of the most terrifying walks in my life. In hindsight, I should have walked through the town centre rather than along the beach.

 

Overall though, I had a great time visiting Folkestone and I will definitely be going back soon. And, frankly, I think I actually prefer going to the seaside in winter over summer. It feels more quiet and peaceful, and you can actually enjoy the nature without the noise of a crowd. I might go again before Christmas – smaller towns are great for finding unique gifts that you won’t find in London.

Southeastern train from London St Pancras or London Stratford International to Folkestone Central

Keep in mind that Southeastern trains are one the pricey side! Best to plan the trip in advance.

Hike to Dover

Folkestone White Horse